Protective pad for violin and viola



April 20, 1954 L. T. SATTLER PROTECTIVE PAD FORVIOLIN AND VIOLA cam RESTS Filed Apg. 27, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

6 F ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 20, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROTECTIVE P AD FOR VIOLIN AND VIOLA CHIN RESTS -Lola S'a-ttler, Modesto, Calif.

Application August2'i, 1951, Serial No."243;8'8 7 10laim. 1

This invention relates "to improvements in protective pads and has particular reference to a small, inconspicuous pad adapted to be associated with the chinrest of a violin or viola, to thus provide a comfortable rest, for the chin of the musician, that will reduce to a minimum extrem'e pressure on the neck and chin of the violinist at the point Where the instrument is tightly clamped under the chin when the violin is being played.

A further object of the invention is 'theprovision of novel and unique adjustable means, connected to the under surface of the pad, for detachably retaining the pad on chinrests and rims of violins of varying sizes.

An additional object of the invention is the production of a pad of the character described that is of light weight, simple in construction, economical to manufacture, positive in operation, strong, durable, readily and easily attachable to the chinrest and violin body, and a pad that is highly serviceable and efl'icient in use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a top. plan view of the pad constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the device, the view being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the pad and disclosing a modified form of clamp,

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the pad disclosing to advantage the construction of the modified form of clamp, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear portion of the body of a violin equipped with a distinctive type of chinrest that has secured thereto the modified form of clamp, and in this instance, for the purpose of clarity. the pad is not illustrated.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, like reference characters and numerals refer to the parts of the invention, and reference character A designates the body of a violin, having the breast B joined thereto at the marginal bead C and carrying strings D, and the tail-piece E, held by the tailpiece gut F to the tail-pin G, all of the usual or any approved construction. The chinrest H that '2 is made of wood, plastic or other suitable material is preferably carved or otherwise made in a single piece that may have the form of the chinrest illustratedand that is-sh'ownas secured to the tailpiece, as at 'I, andis free from the'body of the violin. Optionally, the chinrest-can be of another form, not shown,that is directly secured to the breast of the violin at the lower end thereof.

My invention embodies in its construction a pad designated "as a whole by the numeral 7, that is preferably made of twosecti'ons-ofsponge rubber 8 and 9, cemented or'otherwiseadhesively secured together at substantially right angles *to each other. To the upper surface of the joined sections I adhesively secure a transverse portion or rib ID of soft foam rubber of suflicient thickness to reinforce the pad and to furnish addi tional comfort at the point of most pressure where the pad fits over the outer edge of the chinrest.

The transverse portion I0 is of a color that corresponds with the sections 8 and 9, the composite colors of the pad being preferably brown, black or maroon, thus inconspicuously blending with the three standard colors of violins.

To provide a means for detachably securing or fastening the pad to the chinrest, I have illustrated two forms of clamp fastening means. In the type of fastening means illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the numeral l l illustrates an elongated strip of thin, pliable metal that includes an upper perforated rounded end l2 and a lower perforated rounded end 13. This strip as illustrated to advantage in Fig. 3 is bent at right angles along a medial transverse line as at M. The said strip is preferably cemented or otherwise adhesively secured to the bottom surface of the joined sponge rubber sections 8 and 9.

To render the pad adjustable for the purpose of connecting the same to a chinrest, a rubber band [5 is looped through the perforation in the upper end [2 and is connected therein, while a similar elastic band. It is threaded through the perforation in a lower strip end I3 and is likewise connected thereto. A flat metal hook I1 is in turn connected to the band It, while a second hook I8 is in turn connected to the band It. The respective ends of the strip and likewise the clamps are preferably taped to reduce wear on the bands. The clamps are likewise taped or covered to protect the violin and chinrest from scratches. In practice the hook I! is detachably secured under the edge of the chinrest, while the hook I8 is secured under the small rim of the chinrest along the lower edge of the violin. In the production of this article of manufacture I cement on the under side of the pad a covering (not shown) that bears a definite trade name that is given to the pad. This covering, that extends over the under surface of the pad, with the exception of the perforations, the rubber bands and the clamps, serves to protect the chinrest from scratches and functions to further secure the metal strip to the main body of the pad.

In Figs. 4, and 6, I have illustrated a modified form of clamp that can be employed. In Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have only illustrated the clamp to indicate the construction of the same and to disclose the manner in which it is secured to a distinctive type of chinrest.

It will be noted that the construction of the pa per se in Figs. 4 and 5, and to which this modified form of clamp is adhesively secured, is similar to the structure of the pad illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The modified type of clamp is likewise made of pliable metal and comprises the main body portion l9 that is equipped with a restricted lower end 20 capable of being bent under one edge of the chinrest, as illustrated to advantage in Fig. 6. An eye 21 provided in the clamp receives therein a looped rubber band 22 that is in turn connected to a hook element 23 adapted to detachably engage the opposite edge of the chinrest.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be obvious that I have devised a most unique and inconspicuous adjustable sponge rubber protective pad for the chinrest of a violin and the like, which pad will efiectively lessen fatigue, eliminate perspiration difficulties, and will provide the violinist with a firm, sure grip on the musical instrument while it is being played.

It is to be understood that the forms or my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

J Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A pad for a violin equipped with a chinrest and adapted to be positioned on the chinrest for protecting the chin and neck of the violinist, said padv embodying in its construction a compressible body consisting of a pair of sponge rubber sections secured together at right angles to each other and a foam rubber rib extending transversely over the connected sections and being cemented thereto, a pliable metal clamp being angularly bent and being adhesively secured to the under surface of said body, and means carried by said clamp for adjustably and detachably securing the latter to the chinrest of the violin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 576,950 Coloney Feb. 9, 1897 1,387,216 Wallace Aug. 9, 1921 1,570,361 Wallace Jan. 19, 1926 

